Sponges: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used for general cleaning tasks, absorbing liquids, and washing dishes. Suitable for everyday tasks in the kitchen and bathroom.

• I need to buy some new sponges for the kitchen.
• Sponges are great for wiping down counters and surfaces.

Particularly suited for heavy-duty cleaning tasks due to its abrasive nature. Ideal for removing stubborn stains, rust, or baked-on food.

• The scrubber easily removed the burnt food from the oven rack.
• For tough spots on the stovetop, a scrubber works best.

Typically used for tougher cleaning jobs where more abrasion is needed, such as scrubbing baked-on food or cleaning bathroom tiles.

• I used a cleaning pad to remove the grime from the bathtub.
• These cleaning pads are perfect for scrubbing pots and pans.

Used primarily for washing dishes and wiping surfaces. Often made of cloth, it's reusable and washable, suitable for less abrasive cleaning tasks.

• I prefer using a dishcloth to wash the dishes.
• The dishcloth needs to be rinsed out after cleaning the table.

General term for the porous structures found in both marine and household contexts. In marine biology, it refers to simple multicellular organisms. It can also refer to artificial sponges used for cleaning.

• Sponges are an important part of the marine ecosystem.
• I need to buy new sponges for the kitchen.

Scientific term used to classify sponges within the phylum Porifera. Typically used in academic and formal biological contexts.

• Poriferans are one of the oldest animal groups, dating back to prehistoric times.
• Research on poriferans has advanced our understanding of marine biodiversity.

Refers specifically to natural sponges found in the sea. Used when distinguishing these from artificial or non-marine sponges.

• Sea sponges have been harvested for their absorbent qualities for centuries.
• Diving tours often showcase colorful sea sponges on coral reefs.

Specifically describes an organism that feeds by straining suspended matter and food particles from water, often applied in the context of marine species including sponges, some fish, and mollusks.

• Many species of whales are filter feeders.
• Sponges are typical filter feeders in the ocean.